Since Skip Holtz stepped away from ECU and our Purple and Gold, many have wondered and asked, what in the world did he do with all his Pirate gear? Well, after a little shopping trip earlier today I have found the answer.

Two months ago ECU had just won its second straight Conference USA championship and Pirate Nation joined Skip Holtz and the team on Bagwell field for a championship celebration. Fun was had by all, yo ho yo ho. But now that the college football conference championship weekend was over Pirate fans would also brace for the inevitable speculation that the C-USA Championship victory or the bowl game to come would be Skip Holtz’s last game as East Carolina’s football coach.

Multiple outlets including the The Daily Reflector in G-Vegas are now reporting Ruffin McNeill to be the next ECU head coach. McNeill, a Lumberton, N.C., native, played defensive back for the Pirates from 1976-79. Congrats and go get em coach Ruff!

According to Fanhouse.com, Skip Holtz has accepted the head coaching position at USF. Sure, he presented many valid points for being interested in the Bulls but when you are a god in Greenville, why would you want to leave? Vent your frustration in the comment section below. Two questions: who are we going to get as a head coach and how bad will this affect our recruits' decisions? UNC already scooped up a UT recruit after Kiffin got off of the Rocky Top.

The 200YTL crew would like to wish you all Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year. This past year, Pirate Nation has been stronger than ever. Even in the face of adversity, we have continued to stand strong and have all hands on deck. We have received many early holiday gifts from our football team included a C-USA championship, an invitation to the 2010 Autozone Liberty Bowl and the great news that Skip feels Greenville is the place for him for the next few years.

I know the budget may be tight but as my good friend, Big Erv, likes to say, "You can't put a price tag on memories" and there is no doubt in my mind that making the trip to the 2010 Autozone Liberty Bowl will be memorable to say the least. Just like barbecue, you can find good music about anywhere in Memphis. It is the home of Johnny Cash, Aretha Franklin, Issac Hayes, Howlin' Wolf and some guy named Elvis just to name a few. Most people think of Nashville is the mecca of music in Tennessee but let me quote a Texas singer-songwriter named Cory Morrow: "Nashville sucks."

The expansion for the east endzone of Dowdy-Ficklen stadium began on December 14, 2009. Progress is well underway. If you would like to view a live shot of the endzone, check out WITN’s webcam. Also, bids were made on the removal of the scoreboard. They varied from $7,500 to $80,000. Of course ECU chose the $7,500 bid. That bid came with the stipulation that the removal company will get to keep the scoreboard once it is removed. The scoreboard is scheduled to be taken down beginning Thursday, December 17. We will continue to keep you up-to-date as we find out more info.

If you are planning on driving to Memphis to support the Pirates in the 2010 Autozone Liberty Bowl against the Arkansas Razorbacks, you had better pull out that road atlas that you got from AAA and start planning your route now. We have some insider directions from a Pirate fan who has made the trip multiple times since the rock slide on I-40. Check it out.